South Morang won impressively against Heidelberg West at Mill Park Lakes Reserve in Round 11 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
The 19.14 (128) to 7.10 (52) win gave the Lions their fifth-consecutive victory as they maintained the pressure on ladder-leader Banyule. The Lions remain one win ahead of third-placed St Mary’s, with a game in hand having already had its last bye.
The loss saw the Hawks drop a game and percentage outside the top-four, having now lost their past two games.
South Morang controlled the game virtually all day and managed to rally after a Hawks comeback shortly after half time – winning by 76 points.
Leading by 39 points at half time and kicking with the breeze in the third term, South Morang was stunned by a Heidelberg West blitz, which saw the visitor boot the opening five goals of the third term to draw within 11 points.
At that stage of the game, Kyl Ewart had booted five goals in his return to the Hawks’ senior line-up and was proving a handful for Mathew Robinson.
But, against the run of play, Tye Hall marked and goaled for the Lions. Hall’s goal was the first of ten unanswered goals to finish the match – with the Hawks managing only two behinds in that time.
The final margin was surprising – given how tight a tussle the game appeared to be midway through the third stanza.
“A sign of a good side is to respond when challenged,” a pleased South Morang coach Gary Hall said. The Lions are undefeated since he took the reins after Round 5.
South Morang had winners everywhere. Mitch Buckley played mostly in defence and set up a host of forward thrusts. Heidelberg West inclusion Stefan Condello was moved onto him in a defensive forward role in the second half.
Jordan Steele was a standout on the outer wing all day with hard running, winning plenty of ball and using it with precision.
Luke Shelton did well in his midfield and forward role and finished with two majors.
The Lions won on the spread and were also more disciplined. Heidelberg West gave away some silly frees which cost goals and would’ve frustrated coach Gary Cutler.
“We’re just a work in progress,” Cutler said. “We show flashes of what we can be and then go back the other way.”
James McLean-Brunton returned to the club through the week and will be better for the run.
The Hawks had few winners, but Jarryd Coulson has stamped himself as the best ruckman in the league in 2017 and put the ball to his team’s advantage consistently.
Masaki Miki played a big part during the third term surge, while Ben Kennan did well as a small defender.
South Morang next plays Reservoir at Crispe Park before a much-anticipated clash with Banyule at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
Heidelberg West can potentially move back in the top-four in Round 12 if it can defeat Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. But the will need to pick up about 24 percentage points and also hope that St Mary’s can defeat Epping away from home.
Final scores: South Morang 19.14 (128) def Heidelberg West 7.10 (52)
